Unit rationale, description and aim
Includes 15 days professional experience placement with a focus on a curriculum teaching specialisation in a lower primary school setting (5-8 year old students).
There is a growing trend in early childhood education towards integrated early years learning settings and collaboration across all learning contexts, requiring professional leaders, such as teachers to have knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary leadership.
In this unit, pre-service teachers will critically reflect on ways in which policies and procedures reflect legislative mandates and operate within an ethical framework. The unit is structured to provide varied opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge and awareness of processes that may assist in the building and maintaining of effective partnerships that enable leadership, management and the development of approaches that contribute toward establishing and maintaining accurate administrative practices.
Moreover, teachers are required to demonstrate a specialisation, with high levels of content and pedagogical content knowledge and skills to teach and assess a subject area in depth. In this unit, pre-service teachers will apply skills and dispositions to lead others in curriculum and teaching practice in an area of the primary curriculum. They will synthesise their specialised knowledge and theories and practices of leading improvement, innovation and change in education to develop a teaching program to extend learners in Science and Inquiry.
The aim of this unit is to develop pre-service teachers’ capacity to act as leaders in curriculum and teaching practice in order to improve student learning outcomes in Science and Inquiry.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Investigate and synthesise contemporary theories a...
Learning Outcome 01
Articulate an integrated understanding of processe...
Learning Outcome 02
Analyse and demonstrate understanding of essential...
Learning Outcome 03
Synthesise and apply knowledge of the specialisati...
Learning Outcome 04
Implement and reflect critically upon teaching and...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
Early Childhood Leadership, Administration and Advocacy
- Managing and leading people: interacting/communicating with families, children and staff, ethically and effectively; including conducting effective staff meetings, working with parent committees, induction of families and staff, developing family and staff handbooks
- Policy development including - the purpose of policy, the process of developing and revising policy, using the expertise of recognised authorities, and monitoring the implementation of policy
- Understandings of legislative requirements, regulations, licensing procedures, quality improvement and accreditation systems affecting early childhood education and programming
- Managing, developing and leading staff
- Principles and concepts to guide a research informed investigation in early childhood
- Authentic engagement in an early childhood setting leading the development of a research informed investigation on an aspect of early childhood leadership, the topic of which will be collaboratively negotiated with the setting.
Advanced Pedagogy
- Examination of current literature and practitioner research to critically evaluate successful education programs in Science and Inquiry.
- Designing evidence-based teaching programs to improve learning outcomes and extend learners in Science and Inquiry.
- Differentiating teaching and assessment to meet the specific needs of diverse learners, including extending and challenging students gifted and talented in Science and Inquiry.
Assessment
- The role of assessment in the planning, teaching, learning and evaluation cycle and improvement of teaching and learning.
- Nature, purposes and forms of assessment, including formal, informal, diagnostic, formative and summative, specific to Science and Inquiry.
- Construction of quality and diverse assessment tasks informed by contemporary assessment theories, policies, approaches and curriculum.
- Approaches for providing timely, focused and constructive feedback to learners.
- Processes for gathering, moderating and interpreting evidence of learning.
- Interpreting student assessment data to evaluate learning and modify teaching practice.
- Reporting student progress to learners, colleagues, parents/carers and other significant stakeholders.
- A range of communication strategies to engage sensitively and confidentially with parents/ carers and involve them in the educative process.
Teacher Leadership and Professional Development
- Defining characteristics and actions involved in teacher leadership.
- Importance of being and becoming a leader in practice as a teacher in Science and Inquiry.
- Developing knowledge, skills, attributes and strategies for effective leadership and advocacy.
- The connection between leading learning and improving teacher practice and student learning outcomes in the curriculum specialisation in primary learning contexts.
- The role of the Professional Standards in identifying professional learning needs
- Relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers in Science and Inquiry.
- The role of reflective practice, external professionals, community organisations and continuing professional learning in becoming a leader of teaching and learning in Science and Inquiry.
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures is used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes and professional standards and criteria consistent with university assessment requirements.
The assessment strategy centres around the development and application of enhanced knowledge of the specialisation area as well as that of teacher leadership, in the context of the primary school environment. The first assessment task develops and hones research skills, and analysis and critical thinking. It builds pre-service teachers’ knowledge and understanding of current theories and innovations in the specialisation.
The second assessment task develops analytical abilities, the capacity to engage in critically reflective practice and to set meaningful goals for professional development. Pre-service teachers will bridge their specialist knowledge and emerging understanding of professional learning to develop a plan for their own professional learning.
The second assessment task draws together the learning from the first task, as pre-service teachers apply this to the development of a plan to improve teacher practice and student learning in the specialisation in primary schools. Pre-service teachers will be able to draw from their expertise in the specialisation to provide the basis for a vision for professional learning, to identify, create, and explain practices and resources that are relevant to the primary classroom, and to develop a professional learning opportunity for colleagues within the specialisation area. This develops pre-service teachers’ ability to apply their specialist knowledge and leadership knowledge in service of improved teaching and learning in primary school contexts.
The final hurdle requirement comprises the successful completion of a 15-day professional experience placement in a lower primary school setting, with a focus on the teaching specialisation. This placement facilitates connections between unit content and the ‘real world’ of learning and teaching, thereby preparing pre-service teachers for their role as teachers.
Minimum Achievement Standards
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for pre-service teachers to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome. In order to pass this unit, pre-service teachers are required to submit all assessment tasks and attain a combined total of at least 50%.
In addition, pre-service teachers must attain a Pass in the two hurdle tasks. These are the preparation for the Professional Experience Placement (PEP) and the Professional Experience Assessment (PEA).
Assessment in this unit includes two Critical Tasks: Literature review and evaluative report on current research literature and practitioner research, and Vision and Plan for Teacher Leadership for enhancing student learning. These tasks are core to the demonstration of a number of Australian Professional Teacher Standards. Pre-service teachers must demonstrate mastery of every summative Graduate Teacher Standard identified and attain a score of at least 50% for Task 1 and Task 2 in order to pass this unit.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 Literature review and evaluati...
Assessment Task 1
Literature review and evaluative report on current research literature and practitioner research.
Critical Task
Part 1: Compose a brief literature review that summarises teaching and assessment approaches in Science and Inquiry, with reference to relevant theory and contemporary practitioner research.
Part 2: From the literature, describe and critique two or more specific successful learning and teaching initiatives in Science and Inquiry in educational contexts. For each initiative:
- Describe the educational contexts and learner characteristics
- Describe the teaching and learning strategies implemented: represent the initiative as a process diagram
- Identify the strategies for assessing student learning (including ICT-based) and interpreting student assessment data to evaluate growth in learning/achievement.
- Analyse their efficacy with respect to extending student learning opportunities for students across the full range of abilities in the curriculum area.
40%
Assessment Task 2 Pedagogical initiative, and vi...
Assessment Task 2
Pedagogical initiative, and vision and plan for teacher leadership for enhancing student learning
Critical Task
Part 2A Professional learning program (Group)
As a team, design a vision and plan for professional learning to improve collective teachers’ practice and extend student learning in a specific area of Science and Inquiry for potential implementation in primary schools. Describe your practical plan for innovation and change informed by research and evidence gathered, including a summary of activities with a hypothetical timeline.
Create an annotated bibliography (1-3 papers per dot point) that forms part of your professional learning program with the potential to be delivered at the group member’s schools to build colleague capabilities.
Gather evidence from at least two schools and relevant research to address the following:
- Strategies for differentiating teaching and assessment to meet the needs of students across the full range of abilities, including extending learning for students gifted and talented in the learning area
- Strategies for assessing student learning, record keeping and interpretation of assessment data to modify teaching practice
- Strategies to support student participation and engagement in learning activities
- Strategies for incorporating Literacy and Numeracy strategies in the learning area
- A range of resources, including ICTs
- Strategies to engage parents/carers in the educative process.
- Strategies for providing feedback and reporting to students and parents/carers
- Strategies to maintain sensitivity and confidentiality when working with parents/carers
- Strategies to evaluate teaching programs
- Engaging with relevant external professionals and community representatives to broaden professional knowledge, teaching practice and teacher leadership in Science and Inquiry.
Select and use an appropriate digital platform to showcase your Professional Learning program.
Part 2B Personal learning plan (Individual)
Develop a plan for your own professional learning. Explain your rationale for continued professional learning to improve your teaching practice for enhanced student learning and development as a leader in the curriculum area. Using the Australian Professional Standards for teachers, identify your professional learning needs, and, relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning within the school context and externally.
60%
Hurdle Requirement 1: Preparation for the Profess...
Hurdle Requirement 1: Preparation for the Professional Experience Placement
Hurdle Requirement 2: Professional Experience Ass...
Hurdle Requirement 2: Professional Experience Assessment
Pre-service teachers must demonstrate attainment of the relevant Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: Graduate within a lower primary school setting. Refer to Professional Experience Handbook and Report.
A pass grade for this task will be awarded following:
- the successful completion of 15 professional experience days and,
- submission of a satisfactory Professional Experience Assessment Report
Notes:
- Multiple attempts at this hurdle task are not permitted.
- Professional Experience is a mandated part of Initial Teacher Education courses. Failing this task will result in a fail grade for the unit overall and pre-service teachers will be required to enrol in a future offering of the unit.
Pass/Fail
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total across the semester or equivalent study period. This includes guided teaching, independent study and assignment preparation, and a 15-day professional experience placement.
The learning and teaching strategy is informed by three key objectives. The first is that pre-service teachers will build upon their existing understanding of effective curriculum, pedagogy and assessment within their specialisation and engage more deeply in research and effective practice to progress their capabilities in this area to an enhanced level of self-efficacy in order to improve outcomes for learners, including challenging and extending learners. They will accomplish this as they critically investigate and synthesise research and effective practice.
The second is that pre-service teachers develop their expertise in the specialisation area in tandem with conceptual and practical knowledge of leadership in education. These understandings will be supported by studying illustrations of best practices and deriving critical insights around effective teaching and learning within the specialist area and leadership. Particular emphasis will be placed on contextualising and examining the complexity surrounding school-based improvement efforts, as well as key levers to effectively lead change. Pre-service teachers will engage with, discuss, and distil key principles of teacher leadership and change leadership in education from examining case studies and examples of real-world, school-based change leadership in a variety of educational contexts, focusing on schools and learners impacted by educational disadvantage.
The third objective channels Knowles’ andragogical principles arguing that adults learn best when they do so through experiential learning. Thus, guided learning will prioritise the exploration of practice-based, theory-informed approaches to leading professional learning and school-based change, while the majority of learning will be independent self-directed study focused on the investigation of specialist area research and best practice, the exploration of school improvement opportunities, and the potential for application of learning in authentic school and classroom contexts.
This unit is taught fully online or in multi-mode.
Technology Enhanced Learning
The unit will include a Learning Management System site with resources and online links, announcements, and a discussion board to post questions and reflections that promote critical engagement. It may include:
- Recorded lectures, lecture-style content, lecture notes/Tutorial notes/guides
- Discussion board to ask questions, exchange ideas and refine learning.
- Webinars, podcasts, videos
- Reviews, guided explorations, quizzes
- Focused readings addressing a wide spectrum of practices.
Face-to-face/Online Learning support
Students are required to regularly log into the Learning Management Systems to access recorded lectures and important announcements, to communicate with other students and lecturers, and to submit assessments and access feedback and grades. Additional equipment requirements for online learning:
- Reliable broadband access is recommended.
- Headset with microphone to listen to podcasts, view videos and interact in synchronous classes.
ACU Online
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how
they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and
engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their
progress.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: TEACHING REQUIREMENTS
Within this Effective Teaching unit, pre-service teachers will apply their knowledge, skills and strategies by undertaking a professional experience placement comprising 15 days in a lower primary school context (5-8-year-old students).
Pre-service teachers will develop the habit of critically reflective practice through guided reflection upon their observations of their class and the educational setting. In collaboration with their supervising teachers and other professional colleagues, they will develop and expand their teaching skills through assisting in the delivery of high-quality teaching episodes and teaching small groups and whole classes. They will critically reflect upon their teaching and self-audit their progression and attainment of key teaching skills and standards.
The recommended arrangement of the 15 days is:
- Up to 5 days prior to the commencement of the block, for example, one day a week, by negotiation with the educational provider
- A minimum of 10 days of continuous engagement (the “Block”).
Recommended Teaching Experiences
The following engagements are recommended across the 15-day placement. They provide a scaffolded, praxis-oriented approach to building experience, competency and confidence, and are designed to align with on-campus content. These engagements are to be discussed, negotiated and planned with the supervising teacher/s.
Days 1 – 5 (Single days or incorporated into the block) - Proposed Teaching Expectations
Days 1 – 3: Orientation, observation and assisting the supervising and nominated teacher/s in the teaching and learning process.
Days 3 – 5: Observation and assisting the supervising and nominated teacher/s, plus planning and implementation of one teaching episode per day with a focus on small groups and practising the skills developed through the unit.
Block Practicum: Days 6 – 15 -Proposed Teaching Expectations
Days 6 – 15:
- Observation and assisting the class teacher/s.
- Planning and implementation of one to three teaching episodes per day, including transitions, small groups and building to taking responsibility for whole classes/groups, and class routines.
- Planning, implementing, marking and moderating assessments.
- Practicum reflection, self-auditing and evaluation.
ACECQA Curriculum Specifications
In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) standards:
Relating to
Transitions and continuity of learning (including transition to school)
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to Early Years Learning Framework
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating to
The Australian curriculum
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Numeracy, science and technology
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Language and literacy
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Alternative pedagogies and curriculum approaches
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Guiding behaviour/engaging young learners
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating to
Teaching methods and strategies
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating to
Developing family and community partnerships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO4, LO5
Relating to
Socially inclusive practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating to
Culture, diversity and inclusion
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating to
Historical and comparative perspectives
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2
Relating to
Contemporary theories and practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
Relating to
Ethics and professional practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Educational leadership
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Management and administration
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Professional identity and development
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO5
Relating to
Advocacy
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Research
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO5
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level
In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level standards:
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating toOrganise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toUse curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO5
Relating toKnow and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1
Relating toSet learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4, LO5
Relating toPlan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toInclude a range of teaching strategies.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toDemonstrate broad knowledge of strategies that can be used to evaluate teaching programs to improve student learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating toDescribe a broad range of strategies for involving parents/carers in the educative process.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO4, LO5
Relating toIdentify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate knowledge of practical approaches to manage challenging behaviour.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toDescribe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toDemonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the purpose of providing timely and appropriate feedback to students about their learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate understanding of assessment moderation and its application to support consistent and comparable judgements of student learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate the capacity to interpret student assessment data to evaluate student learning and modify teaching practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate understanding of a range of strategies for reporting to students and parents/carers and the purpose of keeping accurate and reliable records of student achievement.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO4, LO5
Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating toUnderstand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating toSeek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating toUnderstand and apply the key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct for the teaching profession.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO5
Relating toUnderstand the relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and processes required for teachers according to school stage.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO5
Relating toUnderstand strategies for working effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents/carers.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Relating toUnderstand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers’ professional knowledge and practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Representative texts and references
Required text(s)
Australian Curriculum https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/.
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) www.acara.edu.au.
Relevant State and Territory curriculum documents.
Marzano, R., Heflebower, T., Hoegh, J., Warrick, P., Grift, G., Hecker, L., & Wills, J. (2016). Collaborative teams that transform schools: The next step in professional learning communities. Hawker Brownlow. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/qpf7hm/alma991013201241302352
Recommended references
Cleak, H., & Wilson, J. (2019). Making the most of field placement (4th ed.). Cengage Learning Australia. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/13lm7d8/alma991012824765202352
Day, C. (2017). Teachers' worlds and work: Understanding complexity, building capacity. Routledge. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/qpf7hm/alma991013012700302352
Eacott, S., & Evers, C. (Eds.). (2016). New directions in educational leadership theory. Routledge.
Frost, D. (Ed.) (2017). Empowering teachers as agents of change: A non-positional approach to teacher leadership. University of Cambridge Press.
Frost, D. (Ed.) (2014). Transforming education through teacher leadership: University of Cambridge Press.
Harris, A. (2015). Teacher Leadership. International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioural Sciences, pp. 60-63. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/acu.edu.au?
McCrea, N. (2015). Leadership and managing early childhood settings. Cambridge University Press. (Chapter 7).
Morrison, G., Ross, S., Morrison, J., & Kalman, H. (2019). Designing effective instruction (8th ed.). John Wiley and Sons. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/qpf7hm/alma991012963799202352
Owens, R., & Valesky, T. (2015). Organizational behavior in education: Leadership and school reform (11th ed.). Pearson.
Rodd, J. (2020). Leadership in early childhood: The pathway to professionalism (4th ed.). Allen & Unwin. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/13lm7d8/alma991013229228002352
Waniganayake, M., Cheeseman, S., Fenech, M., Hadley, F., & Shepherd, W. (2017). Leadership: Contexts and complexities in early childhood education. South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press. (Chapter 1-3). https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/13lm7d8/alma991012786127602352
Wenner, J., & Campbell, T. (2017). The theoretical and empirical basis of teacher leadership: A review of the literature. Review of Educational Research 87(1), 134-171. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/p3lnct/cdi_proquest_journals_1873915162